Storm Blamed for One Death in New York City

A 68-year-old Bronx man found dead in the waters of a City Island marina shortly after Tropical Storm Irene was confirmed Monday as New York City’s first death caused by the storm.

Jose Sierra’s death was ruled an accident following an autopsy conducted Monday morning. He “drowned in the marina during Hurricane Irene,” said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the city’s Medical Examiner.

According to police, the Crotona Park resident had gone to Sunset Marina to check on his boat Sunday morning. The owner of the marina told police he saw Sierra come enter the facility around 8 a.m. The marina is located in an area covered by the city’s mandatory evacuation order.

When the owner went to check on the marina again after the storm, at around 4:40 p.m., he found Sierra face down in the water, police said.

Sierra’s family, reached at his home Monday, said they were grieving and did not want to comment.